Radio wave reflector



"R. GONSETT 2,875,444 RADIO- wAvE REFLECTOR Feb. I 24, 1959 Filed June 15, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet i INVENTOR, Fdasf 1i. 'onsezz HTTOR'NEY.

1959 F. R. GONSETT 2,875,444

RADIO WAVE REFLECTOR Filed June 15, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 5 6' d 16 Z a m 17 A @L l; 2

1 JNVENTOR, t Faust 1?. 60216912; .7 5 v BY if z 29/ fig 4 I ATTORNEY.

Feb. 24, 1959 F. R GONSETT ,44

RADIO WAVE REFLECTOR v Filed Jurie 15, 1954' I r 5 Sheets-S het a arromvsv.

Feb. 24, 1 959 F. R. GoNsETT' RADIO WAVE REFLECTOR Filed June 15, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 24, 1959 F. R. GONSETT 2,875,444

RADI'O WAVE REFLECTOR Filed June 15, 1954 5 Sheets-sheet 5 Fausf 1?. G'onsPzfi United States Patent RADIO WAVE REFLECTOR Faust R. Gonsett, Burbank, Califi, assignor to Young 7 Spring & Wire Corp Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June 15, 1954, Serial No. 436,945

9 Claims. (Cl. 343-915) This invention relates to a radio-wave reflector of the typeernployed in directing radio'waves into zones from which such waves from a particular source are normally excluded by reason of intervening obstacles such as earth elevations located in their path of travel. i

The invention more particularly pertains to the type of radio-wave reflectors which embody a grille composed or a plurality of spaced parallel reflecting bars carried on a supporting structure. Such grilles as now commonly produced comprise a rectangular frame to which the reflector bars are securely aflixed and accordingly comprise a rigid structure which because of its magnitude is difficult to transport as in shipping and in conveying to the place of installation, as well as being space consumingwhen in stock or storage. As a consequence it is sometimes necessary to market the grille in a knock- .down condition and to effect assemblage of the parts at the place of installation which is time consuming and inconvenient.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a wave reflecting grille which is foldable into a compact bundle so as to occupy a minimum of space during storage and shipment, which may be readily transported and is subject to being easily and quickly unfolded and erected.

- Another object is to provide a grille'embodying a collapsible frame and foldable bars which is so constructed that on assembling the structure in its unfolded and operative position, the parts will be automatically fastened against relative movement and in a fashion such as to preclude accidental collapse of the structure. .A further object is to provide a means whereby the grille may be fastened in its assembled arrangement without the use of tools and without the employment of clamping elements or extraneous fastenings.

With the foregoing objects in view together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed and as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which: i

Fig. l is a front View of the reflector as seen in its folded position;

Figure 2 is a side elevation as seen in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail in section and elevation taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

. Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation showing the reflector in a partly unfolded position as initially moved from it'sclosed position;

Fig. 9 is a detail in cross section taken on the line 9-9 of. Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a view in front elevation of a fragmentary central portion of the reflector with the parts positioned preliminary to final assemblage in their fully open position;

Fig. 11 is a front elevation with portions broken away showing the reflector in its fully open position;

Fig. 12 is a detail in section taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11; and

Figs. 13 and 14 are views in front elevation illustrat ing modified forms of the invention.

. The grille constituting the radio-wave reflector is preferably of general rectangular form when in its expanded operative condition as shown in Fig. 11, and is composed of a pair of interconnected foldable lower and upper end sections A-B each ofwhich comprises a pair of coplanar collapsible side grille portions C-D and E-F respectively particularly shown in Fig. 5. The end sections A-B are characterized by being reversed in their relative arrangement when in their folded position as will presently be set forth.

, The lower end section A embodies a cylindrical tubular shaft 14 formed at its upper end with a socket 15. Pivotally mounted at a-b on opposite sides of the shaft 14 and atspaced intervals are the inner ends of a plurality of parallel or sustantially parallel co-planar tubular bars c-d of any suitable number constituting the grille portions C-D respectively which bars are capable of being swung on the pivots a-b to and from a folded position at least nearly parallel with the shaft 14 as shown in Fig. 1 and to and from an open position wherein the bars project laterally of the shaft 14 as illustrated by way of example in Figs. 11, 13 and 14.

The upper end section B embodies a cylindrical tubular shaft 18 the lower end of which is telescopically engageable in the socket 15 on the upper end of the shaft 14 in snug frictional contact therewith, opposed notches 19 on the lower end of the shaft 18 being detachably engageable with a transverse pin 20 in the socket 15 to hold the shafts 14-18 against relative turning. The

shafts 14-18 when thus interconnected extend inlongi- Fig.6 (Sheet 3) is a fragmentary front view ofthe reflector showing it in a nearly unfolded position; l Fig. 7. (Sheet 2) is an enlarged cross section as seen on the'line'. 7-7 of Fig. 6; l. 'Fig. 8 is a detail in cross section taken-on the line wer -a tudinal alignment and collectively constitutes a standard on which the grille assemblage is carried.

Pivotally mounted at a-b' on opposite sides of the shaft 18 and at spaced intervals are the inner ends of a plurality of parallel or substantially parallel co-planar tubular bars e-; of any suitable number constituting the grille portions E-F respectively, which bars are capable of being swung on the pivots a'-b' to and from a folded position at least nearly parallel to the shaft 18' as shown in Fig. 1, and to and from an open position wherein the bars extend laterally of the shaft 18 as shown in Figs. ll, 13 and 14.

The outer ends of the bars c-d-eare pivotally connected to parallel end rails 16-17, the bars c-d being applied to end portions of the rails opposite the end portions to which the bars c-d are attached. The end rails 16-17 are of U-shaped cross section and the ends of the bars attached thereto are flattened and connected to the rails by pivot pins 1' in the form of rivets as shown in Fig. 9.

The connections between the bars c-d-e-f and the shafts 14-18 are such as to limit swinging movement of the bars in one direction and afford a stop to arrest and support the bars when disposed in an outwardly extended position relative to the shafts 14-18 and at the same time effect abutting engagement with opposite sides of the inner end portions of the bars to laterally brace the latter. Such connections constitute mountings indicated generally at G and particularly shown in Figs. 3 an d 4, each. of which mountings comprise a pair of complementary plates 21-22 positioned astride the shafts 14-18. The plates 21-22 are formed with arcuate strap portion g intermediate their ends which seat on opposed side portions of the cylindrical shafts and each of the plates has aligned projecting end portions h extendingfrom the ends of the straps g. The projecting portions 11 of the pair of plates 21-22 extend in spaced parallel relation to eachother and constitute spring yokes to receive and yieldably grip the contiguous inner end portions of the bars, the portions it being tensioned to frictionally grip the end portions of the bars when in their extended position in the mountings so as to impart rigidity to the assemblage and obviate chatter.

The inner terminals of the bars are flattened as indicated at j and are positioned between indented bosses k on the plates and are pivotally connected thereto by rivets m which also serve to clamp the plates 21-22 on the shafts 14-18.

As a further means for fastening the plates 21-22 on the shafts the straps g are formed with indents n which bite into the shafts and thereby anchor the plates against movement on the shafts.

Formed on the upper margins of the projecting end portions [1 of the plates 21-22 aflixed to the shaft 14, and on the lower margins of the plates affixed to the shaft 18 are inturned flanges p constituting stops which serve to limit swinging movement of the bars in one direction to an open position in predetermined angular relation to the shafts. When the bars are seated on the flanges p the plate end portions It will overlie and abut the opposite sides of the bars as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 under pressure thereby stabilizing the bars against lateral swinging movement relative to the shafts. The flanges p on the lower margins of the plates 21-22 carried by the shaft 13 serve to support the bars resting thereon and thereby act to support the entire grille assembly in its open or extended position.

As here shown the several bars c-d-e and f are of corresponding lengths with the bars of each group C-D-E and F-spaced equidistant apart attheir pivotal connections with the shafts 14-13 and end rails 16-17, so as'to be capable of collective parallel swinging movement. his to be noted that the spacing between the adjacent bars of the groups (1-D and E-F may-be varied either at their connections with the shafts 14-18 as indicated for example in Fig. 14 or at their connections with the end rails 16-17 as indicated for example in Figs. 13 and 14.

The extent to which such spacing may be varied and yet-permit folding of the grilles is limited and is governed by the lengths of the bars and to their flexibility. It is to be understood that the bars are formed of metallic tubing which in lengths of several feet is resiliently flexible and capable ofbeing bent under stress. in some instances it is desirable to mount the bars as shown in 'Figs. '13 and 14 wherein they are placed under tension when in their extended position therebystabilizing the assembly.

"In the operation of the invention, the reflector grille is initially assembled in its general rectangular form as shown in Figs. ll, 13 and 14 that is with the'shaft sections 14 and 1% connected in longitudinal alignment with the mountings G affixed thereon and with'the reflector bars c-d-e and fpivoted to the mounting and extended laterally from the shafts 14-13, and with the end rails 16 and 17 pivotally connected to the outer ends of the bars. The assemblage is then in readiness for installation, but where it isnecessary to package and transport the reflector prior to its installation it is usuallycontracted to itsfolded position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. To accomplish this the shafts 14-13 are separated and advanced in overlying relation to each other so as to pass one-over the other'andthereby reverse their initial relative position; as indicatedin Fig. 5. This movement of the shafts folds the bars thereon inwardly toward the shafts with a parallel movement, the bars-on one shaft folding in a direction opposite that of the bars on the other shaft with the result that one pair of groups of the bars constituting the grille sections C-D will be caused to cross the other grille sections E and F as illustrated in Fig. 5.

Continued contraction of the assemblage will bring the bars and end rails into close parallel or nearly parallel relation to the then spread shafts as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 resulting in a compact bundle. This folded assemblage may be tied, wrapped and packaged in any desired manner for shipment, storage and transportation to a point of installation. The assemblage may then be unfolded and restored to its extended position in an obvious fashion and then put in place in the usual manner. 7

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction set forth, and the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the'parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A foldable radio-wave reflector comprising a pair of foldably interconnected grille sections each of which consists of a pair of co-planar foldable portions including a shaft and a series of parallel reflector bars on each of opposite sides of said shaft and pivotally connected thereto in uniformly spaced relation to each other along the length of the shaft for positioning to project in angular relation thereto or to be folded contiguous thereto, "the bars of each series being collectively interconnected at the outer ends thereof.

2. A foldable radio-wave reflector comprising a pair of shafts adapted to be detachably interconnected end to end, a series of spaced parallel co-planar reflector'bars projecting from opposed sides of each of saidshafts in pivotalengagement therewith, and a pair of parallel end rails to one of which the bars projecting from one'side of the shafts are pivotally connected, and to the other of'which 'the'bars projecting from the other side of said shaft are pivotally connected.

3. The structure called for in claim 2 together with means for limiting swinging movement of the bars on said shafts, from a position lying adjacent the shafts'to a position projecting outwardly therefrom in angular relation thereto. a

4. The structure called for in claim 2 together with means for limiting swinging movement of the bars on said shaftsfrom a position lying adjacent the shafts to a position projecting outwardly therefrom in angular relation thereto and together with means for bracing said bars against lateral movement relative to said shafts.

5. A .foldable radio-wave reflector comprising a pair of shafts, means for detachably engaging saidshafts in longitudinal alignment, a series of co -planar spaced parallel reflector bars having inner ends pivotally connected to each of said shafts along the lengths thereof, there being a plurality of said bars mounted on .each of opposite sides ofsaid shafts, an end rail to which the outer ends of the bars on one side of said shafts are pivotally connected, and a second end rail to which .the outer ends of the bars on the other side of said shafts arepiv otally connected, and means for supporting said bars in outwardly extended relation to said shafts.

6. The structure called for in claim '5 together with means carried on said shafts laterally bracing said *bars.

7. lna radio-wave reflector, a sectional standard .con-

sisting of .a pair of aligned shafts detachably intercom nected intermediate their ends, a plurality of co -planar reflector 'bars projecting from opposite sides of each and pivotally connected thereto with adjacent bars spaced apart and adapted to swing in the direction of the lengths of said shafts, end rails at the outer ends of said bars to which the latter are pivotally connected, said shaft on being separated being moveable longitudinally past each other thereby causing the bars thereon to swing inwardly with a parallel movement with the bars on one of the shafts crossing the bars on the other shaft and whereby the assembly of bars and the end rails may be folded to lie longitudinally adjacent the then separated shafts and thereby form a compact bundle.

8. In a radio-wave reflector, a pair of shafts, means for detachably connecting said shafts in longitudinal alignment in telescopic engagement, a plurality of reflector bars pivotally carried on said shafts to swing inwardly and outwardly relative thereto, the bars on one of said shafts being adapted to swing collectively in a direction opposite that of the bars on the other of said shafts, and a rail at the outer ends of the bars to which said bars are pivotally connected; said shafts and the bars thereon being moveable to cross each other and to fold said bars and the rail in a position adjacent to said shafts longitudinally thereof.

9. In a radio-wave reflector, a pair of shafts separably engageable in longitudinal alignment, a plurality of coplanar parallel bars pivotally mounted at spaced intervals on each of said shafts, an end rail to which the outer ends of said bars are pivotally connected whereby said shafts on being separated may be advanced in opposite directions past each other to thereby swing the bars on one of the shafts across the bars on the other shaft to a folded position in which said shafts, bars and end rail extend in substantially parallel close relation to each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 404,856 Ogilvie June 11, 1889 2,465,331 Resnick Mar. 22, 1949 2,604,644 Tilton July 24, 1952 2,677,764 Collins May 4, 1954 

